Jammu, Feb 5: The Jammu and Kashmir administration is overhauling decades-old tourism regulations to boost employment and streamline business operations, the Tourism Department informed the legislative assembly on Thursday.
In a written reply to National Conference legislator Ali Mohammad Sagar, the government as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said it is revising the “Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Trade Rules,” which were originally framed in 1978, to make approvals “more transparent, user-friendly and strictly time-bound.”
The move aims to address chronic complaints from hospitality operators regarding delays in guest house registrations, licence renewals and obtaining mandatory no-objection certificates from various departments.
Affirming tourism’s role as a “significant source” of jobs, the government said the sector is being actively promoted through festivals and events that engage event managers, transport operators, digital content creators and artisans.
It highlighted a push for homestays, particularly in border and rural areas, to encourage community participation and create “inclusive” tourism development.
All registration processes have been moved online and are now covered under the Public Service Guarantee Act, with a mandated decision within 30 days for complete applications, the reply stated.
The overhaul of the 1978 rules is intended to “reduce procedural delays and improve ease of doing business” in the Union Territory’s vital tourism economy. (KNS)
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